10 Things SEOs & SMBs Should Know About New Google Places Dashboard

Recently, Google announced some significant changes to their Google Places dashboard. The wires have been humming ever since, and the reaction has ranged from fall-off-seat excitement to ‘humph, is that it!?’

Whatever the opinion, the truth is that these changes signify a big development in the way Google handles ‘Local.’ Google has been talking up the importance of local for an age, and the increased real estate given to local results in SERPs backs this up. They have also updated and iterated their local product almost more than their main search product in the last 12 months.

But, despite this rhetoric and commitment, Google has given scant attention to how SMBs use and manage their data within maps/Google+ Local.

Tuesday’s announcement changes this. The new ‘Places for Business’ dashboard is all about making life easier and clearer for SMBs to manage their data and promotion within Google’s local products (Maps/Mobile/+Local), and they have really put some thought into solving the backend issues and providing a helpful, consolidated interface.

Hang on… before I go too far with the praise, let me make one thing very clear. This update is also designed to make it easy for SMBs to purchase Adwords Express. Google has struggled to monetize ‘Local,’ and this update puts AdWords Express front and center on the dashboard in the hope that SMBs will start to spend more with them. ‘Google the Benevolent?’ (Yeah, right…)

Listed below are ten things SEOs and SMBs should know about the new dashboard.

1. Phased Rollout – Many Changes Still To Come

This update has addressed a number of issues which have confused and frustrated SEOs and SMBs for years; but it has not improved all issues and niggles. This is very much a v1.0 for the new dashboard, and there are many more improvements to come over the coming months.

2. Only Available To New Profiles Or Newly Verified Profiles

The new dashboard is only available for new listings (newly created or newly verified) and not for existing, verified listings. As soon as a listing is verified, they will get access to the new dashboard. However, those of us with existing verified listings will have to wait until the rollout reaches us.

Also, the dashboard is only currently available in the US. Once rollout is complete in the US, then it will jump across to other territories. There’s no clear timeline on this; so, it’s a case of carry on doing what you’re doing and wait till Christmas arrives!

3. Easier, Faster, Clearer Update Route For Google+ Local Page

This change is a huge improvement – and a big thumbs-up to Google for sorting this out!

The current/old dashboard had a slow and tenuous link to the Google+ Local page with changes made in the old dashboard taking a long time to show up on the visible Google+ listing.

The new dashboard feeds data directly into Google’s updated ‘knowledge graph’ data structure. This enhanced structure makes management of data within Google better, and Google puts more trust in this data.

The upshot for SMBs is that any changes made via the dashboard have greater trust and should go live on their Google+ Local page faster – within 48 hours, according to various sources.

4. Verification Process Still The Same

Thumbs down on this one, I’m afraid!

The verification process for listings is still the same. Businesses still need to get a PIN via mail, SMS or phone call and enter this into their listings so they can take control of their listing.

But, there is a clearer process for disputed listings. If you want to take control of a listing which is currently claimed into a different Google account. there is a clear, stepped appeal process. Listings can no longer be claimed into multiple accounts, which will greatly reduce confusion over listing ownership and administration.

It also appears (fingers firmly crossed) as if this process is going to be overseen by a dedicated customer support team, which would be a hugely welcome change.

5. Helpful Interface Guides Users To Make Right Choices

The new interface incorporates contextual, inline tips and advice on how best to complete the various fields. There are actually less fields to complete, which means less customization options (a real bugbear for many SEOs), but at least Google makes it clearer how best to complete the fields so SMBs don’t contravene the rules and suffer the consequences!

Google advises that if a business is considering merging their old Google Local Listing with their Google+ Local page, they should wait. This process is still riddled with issues, but there is light breaking on the horizon.

In due course, the new dashboard will incorporate an ‘Upgrade’ button which will make this process smoother. So, unless you have a burning need to tackle this merge now, you should hold fire for the time being.

7. SMBs Need A Google+ Profile To Update Video & Social Elements

All core business info can be updated from the new dashboard. Updates should go live within 48hours, except for photos. Photos will take longer, and it’s still faster to add photos as a user rather than a business owner. Google has acknowledged this issue and will improve the process and speed in due course.

However, if a business owner wants to add video to their listing or manage their social stream, they need to have a personal Google+ profile. Given that lack of personalization options within Google+ Local, having some videos about your business and publishing tips/updates/ideas in Google+ can really strengthen the appeal of your business to a potential customer who visits your Google+ Local listing.

Google is not going to give up on its Google+ play, so it’s time for SMBs to embrace it!

8. Service Area Businesses (SABs) Get A Google+ Local Page For 1st Time

At last!! Google is, at last, acknowledging the existence of SABs and now enables them to have a Google+ Local page and to hide their address if they wish. There are additional settings for service area and a neat check-box so a business can positively state if they also serve customers at their location.

Coupled to this is a wider range of contact options – including email – which will help SABs even more.

9. Select Up To 10 Categories To List In, But No More Custom Categories

The new dashboard allows SMBs to list themselves in more categories than before. They can select up to 10 categories – chosen from a pre-defined list; but, they can’t create custom categories any more (although older listings with custom cats may remain).

The dashboard incorporates inline guidance on what correct categories are vs. incorrect – it’s almost like Google has thought about what a user might enter and pro-actively given some advice on how to get it right – amazing!

10. Analytics Still Sucks!

There is no improvement in the data reported on your Google+ listing. You still get approximate views, clicks and call-to-action. This is a real shame, as Google as the power to supercharge reporting in Places, but continues to de-prioritize this aspect.

The interface for reporting looks like it has improved (although, I’m yet to see a screen shot which actually contains any data on the insights tab, so I can’t be 100% sure); but, the data reported on has not changed.

Postscript: Sources & References

The following sites were used for research and reference in writing this post. Many thanks to their owners and writers for great coverage and for making my life easier!

About The Author

Myles Anderson is Founder & CEO of BrightLocal.com. BrightLocal provide a unique and specialised set of local SEO tools for SEO Agencies, Freelances and & local business owners. See their Local SEO Research Section for the latest research & survey findings about the local search market.

Sponsored

Could an end to over five years of darkness and suffering be coming to an end? Not likely-IMO…but I guess we’ll see.

http://www.noggindigital.com/ Zach Kasperski

Thanks for the update, Myles. I’m really interested to see this thing rolled out in full, that is, to those who already have existing Local profiles on the Google network. For an SMB, I urge choosing a local SEO consultant or website optimization professional to carry out SEO campaigns, mainly because they may have heard of the SMB before and are more familiar with the industry/area in which the SMB operates.

In my opinion, local is always better. Think about local vs. national governments, grocery stores, and restaurants. SEO can be complicated and frustrating, especially it changes so much. Local SEOs will provide you with the information you need and will give you a more personable experience as opposed to large national companies. Also, it’s important to understand that these local business listings/directories play a key role in how search engines display your information. That being said, make sure you’re part of the local puzzle by putting your business on the map. Cheers!

http://twitter.com/HaleyCertified HaleyCertifiedCenter

So, this is only for new businesses? Do you expect that this dashboard will be available for established businesses with long ago verified locallistings?

Anidor Hakak

Hi Myles, tx for the update.

A few questions –
1. What about google places? Is it gonna stay or will google kill it eventually?

2. Should we open a new listing in the local plus or the new interface or maybe the old places interface? Why do we even have the option to open it in g+?

3. What about business with some branches at different cities? Should they open a few listings?

Tx again

http://www.paulisystems.net/ Birgit Pauli-Haack

Thank you so much for your great over view on what’s to come.Very much appreciate this summary, and will send quite a few SMB’s to this page, so they read up about what’s next in Google Local.

Having done quite some research for multi-unit restaurant companies, is there a vision how multi-unit companies will handle their different localities, especially regarding Google+ posts? Many, many times update are company wide and only a subset of posts will be specific for individual locations… I have not seen any provisions for this scenario.

Foursquare seems to have solved this problem very nicely, by creating the Chain entity and allow allow a choice to target all location or just a specific one….

Sunday

In kingged.com where this post was shared and liked, I have made the following comment:
Will
these changes really make life easier for small businesses? I agree
that there is improvement in the way Google handles ‘locals’ but
ultimately the major beneficiary could still be the search engine.
Whatever, it is still good that Myles Anderson took his time to remind
SMBs and SEOs of what they should really expect with the changes made in
the New Google Place Dashboard.

Akash Tripathi

Thanks for this useful information. Local is always good. This post is very helpful for us. My opinion Google Places is an another source of traffic to you site and this is the first thing we have to do before building citations for our site.

http://ariherzog.com/ Ari Herzog

The benefits for Google Places listings is clear for brick and mortar locations; but what about virtual stores? Places that only exist online? Is it worthwhile?

http://twitter.com/tomshark tomshivers

I recently added a Google+ Local listing for a client’s additional location and found that the analytics are way off… the new listing shows zero impressions but lots of actions since it went live. Puzzling but interesting.

Raheel Mushtaq

The new Google Places Dashboard includes a tab to allow business owners to manage their Google+ Local pages. This tab makes it easier for local business owners to gain access to the social features of Google+, such as sharing posts, photos and videos. Brandsynario

Myles Anderson

Yes existing businesses will get the dashboard in due course. Apparently google has rolled this out to all NEW listings across the whole of the US now. Next step is existing listings in the US (AFAIK) and then other countries after that. Timelines not published or clear. Best thing to do is follow Mike Blumenthal (http://blumenthals.com/blog/) as i’m sure news of latest updates will land there first

Myles Anderson

Quick answers, or at least my take on the situation for you –

1. Google+ Local is going to be the sole profile page for businesses in Google Local ecosystem moving forward. The name ‘Google Places’ will remain in a B2B capacity (e.g. Places for Business dashboard). Even the local team representatives at Google still call it ‘Places’ not google+ local!

2. The old interface will transfer into the new dashboard in time. HOwever if you’re starting a new listing from scratch in a different/new account then you’ll get the new dashboard. If you’re adding a new listing to an existing account I believe your stuck with the old interface for now.

3. If a business has a genuine location in different cities then absolutely, set up 1 G+ listing for each location. Just make sure to follow the guidelines closely and ensure that each listing is a genuine local listing

Attend Our Conferences

Attend Marketing Land's SocialPro conference and learn fresh new strategies and tactics from some of the savviest brands and digital marketing agencies managing earned, owned and paid social media marketing campaigns across multiple platforms. Visit the SocialPro site to learn more..